The journey to Magadhera took five days by enchanted carriage, with lush hills giving way to towering spires and enchanted roadways. The capital of Maurya Kingdom sprawled like a jewel of arcane brilliance, layered in glowing wards and ancient majesty.
As the gates of the Royal Academy came into view, Jimmy leaned forward, silver eyes gleaming.
> [Location Discovered: Royal Academy of Magic and Command]
> [Dream Parasite: Proximity Amplifier Enabled - Potential Host Density: High]
"So many minds to reshape," he whispered.
Lana, sitting beside him, said nothing. Her eyes flicked between passing noble students and armored escorts, assessing threats. Her synchronization with Jimmy was now almost seamless.
---
They passed through marble archways adorned with statues of legendary archmages and kings. Students in fine robes walked by, most ignoring Jimmy and Lana. But some paused, their eyes lingering on Jimmy's unnaturally magnetic presence.
Inside, a towering reception hall greeted them, its floor a giant magical circle and its walls alive with moving runes.
A woman greeted them—tall, elegant, wearing a blue robe with gold trim. Her sharp gaze reminded Jimmy of a blade sheathed in silk.
"I am Professor Elira. You must be the late registrant from Venon?"
Jimmy bowed politely. "Sponsored by Lord Algren Vardis. Here are the papers."
She examined them briefly and nodded. "Very well. As a noble-sponsored initiate, you'll undergo assessment tomorrow. Fail, and you're dismissed regardless of title."
> [System Update: Academy Entry Pending Trial - Status: Temporary Student]
She turned. "A guide will escort you to your temporary quarters. You're not permitted in restricted zones, nor to use mental magic on staff or students."
Jimmy's smirk didn't falter.
> [System Notice: Suppression Wards Detected - Dream Magic Reduced by 40% Within Academy Walls]
"Understood, Professor," he said.
---
That evening, in the dim-lit quarters assigned to him, Jimmy sat cross-legged while Lana stood silently by the window.
"The academy suppresses my power. Smart. But not enough."
He closed his eyes and put her head on Lana's Thighs Those soft sqeashy thighs momentarily made him forget about His future plans but soon he regained his concentration and activated Dream Parasite, seeking new targets in the building.
> [Dream Parasite Attempting Infiltration... Partial Block Detected] [Bypassing Weak Defenses... Success: 3 New Latent Targets Planted]
Students. Scholars. One junior librarian.
Lana turned to him. "You should rest before the trial."
Jimmy opened one eye and smiled. "This is rest."
---
The next morning, the Initiation Trial grounds buzzed with fresh recruits—noble heirs, rural prodigies, and a few arrogant second sons.
Trial one: Magic Affinity Demonstration.
The instructor pointed to a glowing orb. "Channel your mana. Show us your element."
Others stepped forward: fire sparked, wind danced, water flowed.
Then Jimmy stepped forward.
He placed his hand on the orb.
> [Interference Engaged – Dream Resonance Channeling... Suppressed Successfully at 60%]
The orb shattered.
A wave of silver light blasted outward. Dozens of students collapsed briefly—visions flashing in their minds. Visions of him.
Professor Elira stood slowly, brows furrowed. "What… was that?"
Jimmy smiled calmly. "A dream."
> [New Trait Registered: Nightmare Imprint - First mental contact leaves subconscious residue in weak minds.]
---
Trial two: Mental Defense.
A cloaked examiner approached. "Brace yourself. I will attempt to enter your mind."
The moment he did, he stumbled back, screaming.
> [Dream Sovereign's Will - Activated. Hostile intrusion repelled. Counter-intrusion successful.]
Jimmy took a step forward. "You should be more careful walking into someone else's dreams."
Silence. Elira's eyes now lingered on him with wariness—and something else. Curiosity. Danger.
---
Trial three: Combat.
Jimmy faced off against a third-year duelist named Kael, a lightning-affinity prodigy.
Kael sneered. "You don't even carry a weapon?"
Jimmy gave no reply.
The bell rang.
Kael dashed forward, blade crackling.
> [Skill Activated: Dreamstep]
In a blink, Jimmy vanished.
He reappeared behind Kael, whispering into his ear: "Sleep."
> [Skill: Dreamweaver (Lv. 3)]
> [Kael suffers Instant Mental Disruption – Faints]
Gasps filled the arena.
Jimmy bowed.
"I believe that concludes the trial."
---
By sunset, he was no longer a "temporary" student.
> [Status Updated: Full Academy Admission Granted]
> [New Title Gained: The Sleepless Novice]
> [Dream Parasite Targets: 28 (Latent)]
As Jimmy stood in his assigned dormitory—a tower room with a view of the academy grounds—he whispered to the wind:
"This school has its secrets. But it's already dreaming of me."
Lana stepped beside him. "Master, what's next?"
He turned, silver eyes aglow.
"Now… we see who the real powers of this place are. And we corrupt them from the inside out."